The Houston Astros are only eight games into the shortened 2020 season, but the injuries are mounting quickly for their pitching staff. It was a concern before the season even began because several pitchers were already going to be unavailable, none have returned and a rapidly growing number of injured arms have joined them. Saturday's additions to that list came both before the game with Chris Devenski being placed on the injured list with elbow soreness, then Roberto Osuna lasted just nine pitches in the ninth inning before he summoned the athletic training staff and was pulled from the game. Astros manager Dusty Baker said after the game, Osuna is going back to Houston for an MRI after complaining of discomfort following his final pitch.
Houston has already used 18 pitchers this season to navigate their way through just the first eight games of the season. Here's a look at how deep their injury problems go:
Starting pitchers:
Justin Verlander (injured list): Made his first start of the season throwing six innings, but told Baker during the game his elbow was a little tender. He subsequently was shut down with an elbow strain and placed on the injured list. He'll be evaluated after a couple of weeks, but will certainly miss a large portion of, if not all of the remainder of the season.
Lance McCullers, Jr: Has made his 2 starts without any injury concerns. He returned from Tommy John surgery and had not pitched since 2018.
Zack Greinke: Has made 2 starts without any injury concerns.
Josh James: Made his first start without any injury concerns, though he missed the early portion of summer camp due to the birth of a child.
Jose Urquidy (injured list): Placed on the injured list on July 12 and missed all of summer camp due to unspecified reasons. He is working out at the team's alternate training site in Corpus Christi.
Framber Valdez: Made his first start of the season in series opener against the Dodgers on July 28.
Cristian Javier: Made his major league debut on July 25 before making first career start in the series finale against the Dodgers on July 29 after replacing Justin Verlander in the rotation.
Bullpen:
Roberto Osuna: On his way to Houston for an MRI after leaving his appearance on August first with right arm discomfort, will likely be placed on the injured list.
Ryan Pressly: Was unavailable the first week of the season due to arm discomfort. Made his season debut on August 1st, allowed a run.
Brad Peacock (injured list): Has not pitched in a a game after being placed on the injured list on July 12 with right shoulder soreness. He is working out at the team's alternate training site in Corpus Christi.
Austin Pruitt (injured list): Has not pitched in a a game after being placed on the injured list on July 12 with right elbow soreness. He was working out at the team's alternate training site in Corpus Christi before being shut down last week.
Chris Devenski (injured list): Made 3 appearances before being placed on the injured list, retroactive to July 29, with right elbow soreness.
Joe Biagini (injured list): Made 1 appearance before being placed on the injured list, retroactive to July 27, with a right shoulder strain.
Bryan Abreu : Currently day-to-day with a right thumb abrasion. Made his major league debut last season, but still a rookie.
Every other member of the Astros bullpen is a rookie: Brandon Bailey, Brandon Bielak, Enoli Paredes, Nivaldo Rodriguez, Andre Scrubb, Cy Sneed and Blake Taylor.
All but Sneed made their major league debut this season. This group (along with Javier's 1 IP out of the bullpen) has combined for 21 appearances, 28.1 IP, 24 H, 4 ER, 15 BB, 27 K with an 1.27 ERA. They have closed out six of the Astros eight games.
Two other pitchers likely would have been on the 30-man roster if not for injuries. Rookie Rogelio Armenteros (injured list) made his major league debut with the Astros last season, was slowed by injury in summer camp and was placed on the injured list on July 23. The team's top pitching prospect Forrest Whitley has been working at the team's alternate training, but Baker revealed before Saturday's game, he might have already made his major league debut this season if not for arm soreness. Baker said he felt soreness in his arm when he pitched in Houston and then again when he was pitching at the alternate training site in Corpus Christi.